Roger's Postings

Saturday, January 17, 2015


John 1:43-51.                     Come and see !!                                                                               18/1/15

43 The next day Jesus decided to leave for Galilee. Finding Philip, he said to him, “Follow me.”
44 Philip, like Andrew and Peter, was from the town of Bethsaida. 45 Philip found Nathanael and told him, “We have found the one Moses wrote about in the Law, and about whom the prophets also wrote—Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.”
46 “Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?” Nathanael asked.
“Come and see,” said Philip.
47 When Jesus saw Nathanael approaching, he said of him, “Here truly is an Israelite in whom there is no deceit.”
48 “How do you know me?” Nathanael asked.
Jesus answered, “I saw you while you were still under the fig tree before Philip called you.”
49 Then Nathanael declared, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the king of Israel.”
50 Jesus said, “You believe because I told you I saw you under the fig tree. You will see greater things than that.” 51 He then added, “Very truly I tell you, you will see ‘heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending on’ the Son of Man.”

 Here in this reading again we have revealed to us some more pretty amazing things about this Jesus. We here are challenged to come and see this Jesus for who he really and then to follow him. When we know who he is and how important he is then we surely cannot help but follow him: Unless of course we want to be selfish and arrogant, and then to take our chances in facing Judgement Day and hell.

 This is again then is an important issue for us to think about here at this time. I think we all struggle with our following of Jesus Christ and in being a Christian; as well as in our being witnesses for our Lord. The problem often is though, that we fail to see him as he really is and so then struggle to live and witness as is appropriate for one who is so great.

 We have swallowed the lie of our present day society in thinking that life is all about me. Self is the centre of our world. Thereby everything, including our faith and Christian life, is all about me. God and Jesus are only worthy of a part in our life in so far as what they can do for me. All we look for is an easy, healthy, wealthy and happy life-style.

Along with that we have this view of ourselves that we are basically good people. Our selfish pride does not want acknowledge or even hear from God or his preachers that we are sinners at the very core of our lives. We don’t want to hear what God says we must and must not do. In fact we don’t want anyone telling us how we should live and act, or that we don’t come up to scratch..

 So as a result of this, Jesus and what he came to do, is relegated to secondary importance. Sure, we know we have to say that Jesus is all important and that he is where it really is at, but in reality we put ourselves and our thoughts and worldly activities first. I want to be comfortable in our own and our world’s eyes, more than taking Jesus Christ and what he says as of greatest importance.

 This is what Jesus is saying here with regard to Nathanael, that he is not. Jesus said of him, “Here truly is an Israelite in whom there is no deceit.” He comes to Jesus for who he is said to be. He believes that his help and hope is Jesus despite what his and the world’s inclination are. He is not two-faced in his coming to Jesus. Interestingly Jesus can see that in him: Which is a reminder to us that he sees us also and knows where we are at in relation to him. We can’t fool him. 

 But the implication is that if we are not prepared to take Jesus Christ seriously, then we are going to struggle in our following of him. The danger is that we will become pharisaical in our thinking and actions and we will be wanting to take the easy and popular line in life.

 However we know from the Scriptures that following Jesus is not an easy road. It means standing by that which is not popular in the world’s eyes. Jesus told his disciple that they would not have an easy time of life. Just as his life was centred and led to his death on the cross, so also our following of him will result in rejection and even persecution. It also means that our message of Jesus death on the cross for the forgiveness of sins will in many cases be a stumbling block in our witness to others.

 However this is the heart of who Jesus is and what our following of him is all about. Here in this reading Philip tells Nathanael  that we have found the one Moses wrote about in the Law, and about whom the prophets also wrote. Just prior to this John the Baptist was pointing to Jesus and telling Andrew and Peter that here is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.

Here is the Messiah – the one who was prophesied throughout the Old Testament would come and save the people from their sin and be their King. Here was the one specially sent from God to be the one who would reconnect people with who they were meant to be.

  So here In Jesus Christ is the One who is all important for life. Here was that which is above and beyond anyone or anything else – even ourselves. Here is the only real hope for humanity. Here is God himself come to do what had to be done so that we can be saved from our stupidity.

 All he calls for is for us to come and see: to repent and believe the Good News that he has come to pay the price for us to be forgiven for our sinfulness. Jesus message was Repent for the kingdom of heaven is near.  In his coming and dying on the cross he makes it possible for us to be in heaven, so turn to him and believe this Good News.

 This is the heart of who Jesus is and what he is about and what he is calling for in our following of him. Everything points to Jesus death on the cross so that we can have eternal life in heaven with The Lord God Almighty himself.

 But here though the question is all too often: can anything good come of it. Can anything good come from Jesus and our connection with him? Again we are simply looking for what’s in it for me, we will not see much in it. For many all they are interested in is for him to let us into heaven at the end.

 But for Nathanael, even though he couldn’t see how it could be possible, he knew and looked for this one who was prophecies to come and save his people from their sin, and so he willingly comes to Jesus to see if it is truly so.

 It was then that Jesus tells him some home truths about him which proved that Jesus knew more about him than was humanly possible.  He says: “Here truly is an Israelite in whom there is no deceit.” And “I saw you while you were still under the fig tree before Philip called you.” This is impossible for anyone other than God himself to see and know.

 Here let us remember that in the book of Ephesians we are told that God saw and knew us since before the creation of the world. God knows all about us – what we would, be like – what we are thinking – what we would do – every detail - and more – even before he created the world.

 This surely is absolutely remarkable. This surely indicates to us that he is where life is at and what is all important. He and what he thinks, does and calls for from us is far more important than we ourselves. On top of that to then come and be the sacrifice which away the sin of the world, this is absolutely amazing.

 So surely now we want to follow him. Surely now we will go where he wants us to go and do what he wants to do. Surely now we will not be able help ourselves in telling others how important and great this Jesus is and what he has done for us. It will simply be one poor beggar telling another were to find our help and hope.

 Then in the last two verses Jesus says: “You believe because I told you I saw you under the fig tree. You will see greater things than that.” 51 He then added, “Very truly I tell you, you will see ‘heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending on’ the Son of Man.”

 Here Jesus makes a final very important statement to help his disciples, and that includes us, to be able to know the Jesus is for real and so go forward with confidence. God will reveal Jesus to as being from God. He will reveal to us through angels and his Spirit that Jesus is who he says he is.

 So we have God’s messengers helping us to see, through Jesus miracles; through His death and resurrection; through his Word and Sacraments that this Jesus Christ is him who is all important for our salvation, life and eternal hope.

 So we can look to, follow, and be witnesses to Jesus Christ with certainty and confidence. Here we have God almighty himself come into our world for the express purpose of dying on the cross for the forgiveness of our sins and so enable us to once again be his children and have the sure hope of eternal life in heaven with our God for all eternity.

 So we don’t have to be in two minds. We can get on with life looking to and follow this one who see us, knows us and calls us to follow him. To him then be all glory and honour, now and always. Amen.

 Pastor Roger Atze
Glandore/Underdale Lutheran Parish

Saturday, January 10, 2015


Ephesians 3:1-12.                             The revelation of Jesus Christ!!                                 11/1/15

1For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles—
Surely you have heard about the administration of God’s grace that was given to me for you, that is, the mystery made known to me by revelation, as I have already written briefly. In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, which was not made known to people in other generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God’s holy apostles and prophets. This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus.
I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God’s grace given me through the working of his power. Although I am less than the least of all the Lord’s people, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the boundless riches of Christ, and to make plain to everyone the administration of this mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things. 10 His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, 11 according to his eternal purpose that he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord. 12 In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence.

 Today we are celebrating the Epiphany of our Lord – or the revealing of our Lord for what he really is to all people. Last Sunday we were reminded that Jesus is the Light of the world and that he alone can give us light and life. In the Gospel reading today the wise men from the East had revealed to them that this baby in Bethlehem was to be the great king. Here in this reading Paul is telling us that this Jesus is the one through whom all people may approach God with freedom and confidence.

 This work of God in and through Jesus Christ is here called a great mystery. What Jesus has come to do is so great and powerful that it is incomprehensible to not only human beings but also to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms. However in and through Jesus Christ this wondrous thing is happening – Jesus and what he has come to do is revealed to all.

 The point is that here we have the greatest thing to happen in all of history being now revealing in Jesus Christ. Here is that which is most important for not only us as human beings, but for every creature on earth and in heaven to know. So much so that it is mind-boggling.

 So here we have a message that is very challenging to us and our world today. Our society does not want to know God and Jesus Christ, so it does not want to know what is of utmost importance to them and to all of life. Instead, now we have hailed to us ‘the power of the pencil’ – freedom of speech: Thinking that maybe this will overcome our world’s problems – which of course it won’t.

 Is it any wonder then that we are struggling to find meaning and purpose to life? We are running this way and that trying to find something that will give us that which we need to hold life together for us and to light up a way that is good for us. Until we take seriously this message we will always come up short, every time.

 Interestingly, in light of recent events in our world, here we are told: This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus. So the message here is that in connection with this Jesus all people can be united and one with each other. Jesus alone is what can give the peace that we long for.

 Every attempt that humanity makes to bring about unity and peace has not and will not work. God’s Word is very clear that sinful, selfish humanity will always come unstuck, no matter how great a system of philosophy, politics or thinking we put into place. There will always be people who have and will abuse the system. This is not just the case with the Islamic extremists, but is there in communism and capitalism. Democracy, freedom of speech or whatever will be corrupted by this selfishness and sinfulness.

 As much as the Islamic extremists are causing havoc in our world at the moment, so also are the drug pushers, paedophiles, rip-off merchants and the list could go on and on and on. Sinful humanity will over and over again do what it selfishly wants to do, irrespective of its effects on others. And this same sinfulness is there in each and every one of us.

 Yes even we in the Christian church bring troubles and hardships on ourselves and others. We too, readily shift the focus to ourselves and our wants and desires and so bring about strife and divisions. We too, do our own thing; worship when and where we want; want our own preference of music and the like; and more.

 So no matter where we look, humanity when it looks to itself always comes unstuck: it will always be floundering in the dark. So we need to have our answer; our light, and our unity outside of ourselves and our world. It needs to come from God almighty himself.

Now it is here again then that the revelation of Jesus Christ is where it is at; and nowhere else. Here we need to remember that it is not any or all religions or philosophies that are more or less equal. As much as many today, even in Christian circles, are saying that the Muslims and some other religions are all heading in the same direction to the same God. Here again we are reminded that this is not so; Jesus Christ alone is our light, life and salvation.

 Now many people become uncomfortable when this message is spoken. We are said to be arrogant, fundamentalist, divisive and all the rest. However we must be clear that this is not me speaking, but God’s Word itself. He tells us this.

 But others would say that Islam and other religions says the same thing, so how can we be so sure when we make these sort of claims that we are. Here again Jesus Christ is and has the answer to these views. Jesus is God come into our world. His Word told us hundreds and hundreds of years before his coming into our world that he would come and die and rise again; and it all happened in Jesus Christ. Even secular history itself acknowledges this. So we can be absolutely sure that the bible is true to its word, as it is not some fairy story written up by a human being somewhere along the way.

 So if Jesus is who he and the Bible says he is, then what that Word says about why and the whole purpose of him coming is also true and can be trusted. With that then we have the greatest bit of news that our world has even heard: News that can enlighten and transform the lives of every single person on earth.

 The light, life, salvation, unity and all the rest that is spoken is now possible in connection with this Jesus and his coming, life, death and resurrection.  Despite our sinfulness, the gospel, is the revelation that in Jesus’s death on the cross he has made forgiveness of sins, life and salvation available to all of humanity no matter who they are. His resurrection three days later proves this and thereby ensures us that there is also a rising to life for all those who are baptised and believe. All who are connected to him, no matter who they are, are now united with each other and have a peace and hope that the world cannot give or understand.

 Jew, gentile, Muslim or whatever can now find their life and salvation in him alone. Only in him can humanity find the peace and unity that it longs for and hasn’t been able to find. But now here in Jesus Christ this is all there: this is the light that has broken into our darkened world.

 This is the mystery revealed. This is the gospel that mankind longs to hear and know: that we all are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus. In him and his death and resurrection we have forgiveness of sins, life and salvation. In him we have unity with God and each other.

 This is God’s eternal purpose that he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord. In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence. This is what all of earth and even the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms have been longing after.

 So here now, in our world today with its terrorism, lack of peace and loneliness, we have a message of peace and hope. Here we have something real to look to and hang onto and which can make a real difference to life. Here is our light in our darkened world.

 So today again the boundless riches of Christ has been revealed to us. This is the Epiphany that is so important for our world today. To him then be all glory and honour, now and always. Amen

 Pastor Roger Atze
Glandore/Underdale Lutheran Parish

Saturday, January 03, 2015


John 1:1-18.                        A positive Light for the New Year                              4/1/2015

 (1)  In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. {2} He was with God in the beginning. {3} Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. {4} In him was life, and that life was the light of men. {5} The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it. {6} There came a man who was sent from God; his name was John. {7} He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all men might believe. {8} He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light. {9} The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world. {10} He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. {11} He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. {12} Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God-- {13} children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God. {14} The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. {15} John testifies concerning him. He cries out, saying, "This was he of whom I said, 'He who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.'" {16} From the fullness of his grace we have all received one blessing after another. {17} For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. {18} No one has ever seen God, but God the One and Only, who is at the Father's side, has made him known.

 As we begin another year we have many ominous signs pointing to real difficulties and possible tragedies ahead. Interestingly there are many in the media and leadership in our country that are already saying this, rather than simply putting a good, positive spin on things at the beginning of the year. And that is the other side of things: we seem to think that if you talk up the positives then we might be able to get through the year without falling apart.

 Now for most people today in our society there is this underlying fear of the knowledge that the year ahead will have its difficulties and tragedies. The realities of life are that there will always be accidents, sickness and death. But on top of that there is the real possibility of a sizable financial downturn and of further terrorism activity. All of this has most people very uneasy about the future.

 However in order to cope with this they bury this thinking under a cloak of positive thinking and a constant barrage of pleasant events; parties, sport, alcohol, drugs, sex and all kinds of things that will hopefully take our mind off of these terrible, but real, possible things happening. Hopefully it won’t happen; and more to the point, happen to me!

 Now without wanting to be too pessimistic and negative, as Christians who understand the Bible, we surely will know that because we are living in a sinful, selfish world, we will have our troubles and hardships. Let’s be real about it. This coming year will not be all a bed of roses. There will thorns on that bed as well; and we can be fairly confident that there will be tragic events as well.

 However we as Christians are reminded here that in the midst of all of this darkness and gloom there is a light that enables us to go forward boldly and confidently, irrespective of what happens. This light helps us to step out and live each day realistically but at the same time positively. For we know that in connection with this Light the future is sure and certain no matter what we will have to face.
 
This light in this reading before us is associated with that which is real life – real life, both here on earth, as well as in heaven for all eternity. This light and life is that which is connected with all that is good and right and which has come into this world which has been darkened by our human sinfulness to give us light and life.  So we can have hope and a real confidence as we live out our life every day, whatever we are facing.

 Here though is where things begin to get challenging for us as human beings. We want light and life and hope and all of that, but all too often we don’t want to take seriously that which can give us these things. Even though the source of these things has been there and had its hand in the beginning of this world and all things, we as human beings too often prefer to ignore and even reject that which can give us these things.

 We would much prefer to try and accomplish it on our own, even though history shows us that we can’t. In fact all our attempts to, only makes the darkness even darker, if that is possible. By rejecting the creator and giver of these things we bring difficulties and disasters on ourselves. However our pride does not want to acknowledge and accept this.

 Now it is in the face of this situation that John has a very important message for us. The giver of this life and light has come into our world so that we can have a sure way lit up for us so that we can have real life here and now as well as in eternity. God’s Son come into our world makes all the difference for those who receive him.

 The first point that John makes in this regard is that this light was there at the very beginning. In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. This Word is clearly a reference to Jesus Christ. Jesus and the Word are inseparable. And this Jesus was there at the very creation of this world and all that is in it.

 So if Jesus was there and had a hand in the creation of life he surely knows what life is all about and what makes for real life. In fact John says that he himself was life, and that life was the light of men. So if we want to know what makes for life as it is meant to be, then we should look to him who is life.  We look to the Word – Jesus – and the word of the Bible and there find what we need to know in order to truly live. Jesus and his word is what will give light to our darkened world.

 However John goes on to say: The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it. Sinful, selfish humanity does not understand or want to understand what God has done for us and how he wants us to live and act. We want to do our own thing, and so what Jesus Christ shows and tells us is so often rejected and poo-hooed.

 John tells us: The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world. He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. They prefer to live in their own darkness rather than in his light. The results of this we see all around us.

 However, to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God-- children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God.

 Those who are prepared to look to, believe, and receive from him find that which is absolutely amazing. Those who trust in him and what he has to say he has given the right to become children of God. Not only has he given us the right, but he has made it possible – he has done it himself for us. It is not determined by what family we are born into; nor, by our decision; or knowledge, or anything of our human nature. It is purely the work of God.  

 That is why baptism is so important for us, as it is a constant reminder to us that God has accepted us, washed us and joined us to his family. We have the certainty of forgiveness of sins, and the assurance that God is with us all the way through this life into heaven itself. So life will work out for good.

 The light of Christ has illuminated our lives and given us what we need in order to live with hope, confidence and certainty in the midst of this darkened world. The fullness of God’s grace – his undeserved love toward us now means that we can live with meaning and purpose in the midst of a world that is running this way and that in order to hopefully find what is right and good.

 In God’s Word we have the law to guide us in how to live well on this earth in our relationships with God and the people around us. It thereby also reminds us that when we go against this law we will bring trouble and hardship on ourselves and others. History has borne out the truth of this over and over again. Sadly however humanity is reluctant to heed this reality.

 Alongside of that law we also have the grace and truth that came through Jesus Christ. Here we the greatest help and encouragement that we could hope to attain. Because of the reality of Jesus Christ and his life, death and resurrection we know for sure that we are loved, forgiven and have a sure truth to live by. We can be absolutely sure of all that he has given and promised to us.

 So now in the midst of the darkness of life in our world and the probabilities of further troubles and tragedies in this new year, we as Christians can live with confidence in the light of all the Jesus Christ has done and made available to us. There is now a way lit for us in and through whatever this sinful world throws at us.

 With that we can live life to the full, confidently and boldly; for the light Jesus Christ is with us and shines a way through for us. So to him again be all glory and honour, now and always. Amen.

 Pastor Roger Atze
Glandore/Underdale Lutheran Parish